Ascent to the Tilicho lake

The final ascent to the lake starts at Tilicho base camp (4140 m asl), where are only two lodges and the vast majority of tourists sleep here. After ascending only a few dozen altitude meters, nice view of the Great Barrier opens. Great Barrier is virtually impassable ridge. Marsyangdi river is only a small creek at this altitude.

Pyramid of Manaslu (8163 m asl) and sturdy massif of Ngada Chullu (7871 m asl) dominate the remote eastern horizon.

Look down to basecamp, which is not visible through the rocks. But it is possible to see clearly the new path bypassing the entire massif and the old path leading through the Top of the Col (4920 m asl). The old path is now used only by the braves as great part of it disappeared under piles of rubble.

Great Barrier – kilometer long ridge that does not decline below 7000 meters above sea level. It also exceeds the surrounding countryside by two kilometers.

Above all tops protrudes here beautiful Gangapurna.

When you ascend the endless winding path, you will get to the plain full of small ridges and lakes at an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level. You go through this “plain” to the outlook of the lake about a kilometer and a half. There are beautiful views of the Gangapurna and Great Barrier along the way. Right here people have the most mountain feelings of the whole trek.

Tilicho (4,915 m asl) – stunning lake in the moonscape and one of the biggest lakes in such a high location in the world. If you do not plan to camp here, it is important to set out here soon in the morning as the ridge rising directly from the lake exceeds it by two kilometers. Also shadow falls here very soon and is very cold then.

The ridge is situated favourably, so it is worth to get up earlier at the sunrise.